Pimento coring and cleaning machine



Oct. 20, 1942. R. P.- GEREN ETAL 2,299,137

. PIMENTO CURING AND CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l R 5 zpa erm n 0 er F 7 Earl R. li e/f 7 BY: ATTORNEY.

Oct, 20, 1942. R. P. GEREN ETAL 2,299,137

PIMENTO cdnme AND CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 23 QZZ INVENTORS. Ro&eri F Gerezz and i A TORNEY.

Patented Oct. 20, 1942 PIMENTO CORING AND CLEANING MACHINE Robert P. Geren and Earl R. Vick, San Diego,

Calif., assignors to Old Mission Packing 09rporation, Ltd., San Diego, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Application February 4, 1941, Serial No. 377,308

9 Claims.

Our invention relates to a pimento coring and cleaning machine, more particularly adapted for use in removing cores and seeds from the interior of pimentos or the like at the stem end thereof and the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a machine of this class which automatically removes the cores from pimentos and washes out the interior of the same after the coring operation thereon;

Second, to provide a machine of this class in which a special high speed pimento coring bit cuts a neat hole in the stem end of the pimento reducing to a minimum the culls created during the coring operation on said pimentos;

Third, to provide a machine of this class in which the pimentos are automatically engaged and held at opposite sides thereof by pimento holding members whereby the pimentos are maintained in steady stationary position during the coring operation thereon;

Fourth, to provide a machine of this class in which a fluid jet member conducts fluid under pressure and directs the same into the interior of the pimento for thoroughly washing seeds and deleterious matter from the interior of the same after they have been cored by said machine;

Fifth, to provide a machine of this class in which pimentos are held in stationary position by a pimento holddown member during the internal washing operation on said pimentos after they have been cored:

Sixth, to provide a machine of this class in which different pimentos are cored and washed at the same time;

Seventh, to provide a machine of this class with novel pimento coring bit means;

Eighth, to provide a novel machine of this class;

Ninth, to provide a machine of this class in which pimento holding members automatically engage pimentos at opposite sides thereof with slight squeezing action thereof whereby said squeezing action stops when said pimento holding members firmly engage said pimentos preventing the same from being crushed when being held by said pimento holding members; and

Tenth, to provide a machine of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, efficient in its action and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in View as will appear hereinafter, our invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of our pimento coring and cleaning machine showing portions thereof broken away and in section and showing by dash lines varying positions of parts thereof; Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the pimento coring bit of our pimento coring and cleaning machine taken from the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken from the line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of our pimento coring and cleaning machine showing portions broken away to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional View taken from the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 6-6 of Fig. 4 showing parts and portions in elevation to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken from the line 'l---'! of Fig. 4; and Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view taken from the line 88 of Fig. 4.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

The main frame I, sprocket sup-porting shafts 2, 3, 4 and 5, sprockets 6, l, 8 and 9, operating shaft l0, pimento conveyor chain H, pimento conveyor cups l2, intermittent gear members l3 and I4, cam member l5, cam engaging levers l6 and I1, link member 18, reciprocal shaft [9, motor 2D, pimento corin bit 2|, pimento holding members 22, levers 23, 24, 25 and 26, shaft 21, rods 28, 29 and 30, detents 3i and 32, pimento holddown member 33, fluid jet member 34, fluid valve'35, brackets 36 and 31, springs 38 and the main operating motor 39 constitute the principal parts and portions of our pimento coring and cleaning machine.

The main frame I is substantially rectangular in form, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings and is constructed of angle iron or any other suitable material and the various portions of this main frame I may be secured together by welding, or otherwise, as desired.

Revolubly mounted in rectangularly disposed relation to each other in connection with this main frame I are the sprocket supporting shafts 2, 3, 4 and 5, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. These sprocket supporting shafts 2, 3, 4 and 5 are supported in the journal members 2a, 3a, 4a and 541 respectively, as shown best in Figs.

hereinafter described in detail and particularly 5 1 and 4 of the drawings.

Positioned over the sprockets 6, 'I', 8 and 9 is the pi lento conveyor chain I I, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. The sprockets 6, i, 8 and ii are positioned on the shafts 2, 3, 4 and respectively, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The pimento conveyor chain H is a substantially conventional link chainand secured thereon are the pimento conveyor cups I2, as shown best in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 of the drawings. Each of the pimento conveyor cups i2 is provided with a base plate portion i2a which is provided with an angularly extending portion I2b. This angularly extending portion I22) is arranged to replace one of the chain link plates, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings. The base plate portion I2a of each of the pimento conveyor cups I2 is provided with a central opening EEc therein, as shown best in Figs. 4 and 5 cf the drawings. This opening I is arranged to receive the pimento coring bit 2| as it shifts upwardly into the dash line position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. Positioned on this base plate portion I2a around the opening 22c therein are spikes I2d arranged to engage and hold pimentos positioned in the substantially funnel-shaped cup portion I26 which is positioned on the base plate portion I2a outwardly of the spikes I2d and having upwardly and outwardly diverging side wall portions, as shown best in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

The interm' tent gear members I3 and I4 are secured on the operating shaft I0 and the sprocket supporting shaft 3 respectively. The

operating shaft IE3 is driven by the main operating motor 39 in connection with the gear box 3901-, as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The intermittent gear member I3 is arranged to be constantly revolved in connection with the main operating shaft Iii. This intermittent gear member 83 is provided with an outwardly extending peg portion !3a arranged to mesh with the slotted stage portions Ma of the intermit- .r member 54. The intermittent gear member 3 is also provided with an arcuate portion see arranged to engage the arcuate stage portions Mb of the intermittent gear member I4. This intermittent gear member I4 is preferably of the stage type and is arranged to revolve the sprocket supporting shaft 3 in connection therewith one-sixth of a revolution with each revolution of the main operating shaft II all as shown best in Fig. '7 of the drawings.

Secured on the operating shaft ID at one side of the intermittent gear member I3 is the cam member it. This cam member I5 is a substantially circular cam member and is eccentrically mounted in connection with the operating shaft H3, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings.

Engaging opposite side edges of this cam member I5 are the cam engaging levers I6 and i1, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. These cam engaging levers It and I! are mounted in connection with the main frame I on the pins 55a and Ila respectively. At the opposite side of the cam member I5 from the pins Ifia and Ila, the cam engaging levers I6 and I! are interconnected by means of the link member I8. This link member I3 is pivotally connected with the cam engaging levers I6 and IT by means of th pins IBa and I8?) respectively. The extending end portion Itb of the cam engaging lever it is arranged to engage the flange collar member E60 which is rigidly secured on the reciprocal shaft I9, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This reciprocal shaft I9 is freely reciprocally mounted in the bearings I9a and I91). Secured on this reciprocal shaft I9 in rigid relation therewith above the flange collar member I50 is a bracket member 20a which is arranged to support the motor 29 in spaced parallel relation with the reciprocal shaft I9, as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The motor 26 is provided with a revoluble shaft 26b on the upper end of which is rigidly mounted the pimento coring bit 2I. This pimento coring bit is hollow and substantially cylindrical in form and is provided with cutaway portions Zia in opposite sides thereof leaving relatively narrow side portions 2Ib, as shown 'best in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The upper end of this pimento coring bit 2I is provided with a substantially hollow cylindrical bit portion 2ic on the upper edge of which are positioned saw teeth Zid, as shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The pimento holding members 22, as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings are reciprocally mounted in the substantially U-shaped brackets 3'1. These pimento holding members 22 are arranged in reciprocally mounted opposed relation to each other, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings and are each provided with pimento engaging portions 22a, which portions 22a are substantially arcuate in form, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. Connected with each of these pimento engaging portions 221;. are square rod portions 221); these square rod portions 2% are arranged to extend through opposite sides of each of the brackets 3'1, as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

Positioned over the outer ends of each of these rod portions 22b is a compression coil spring 38. Each of these springs 33 is arranged to engage the outer side of one of the brackets 31 and a pin 38a in one end of the rod portions 22b, as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings. These springs 38 tend to hold the pimento engaging members 22 outwardly toward the brackets 37, as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings. These brackets 31 are provided with upwardly extending plate-like portions 310, on which the levers 23 are pivotally mounted by means of the pins 23a, as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The lower ends of the lever 23 are pivotally connected with pimento holding members 22 by means of the pins 23b. Pivotally connected with the levers 23 at the opposite sides of the pins 23a from the pins 2312 are the levers 24. These levers 24 are pivotally connected with the levers 23 by means of the pins 24a. At their opposite ends from the pins 24a, the levers 24 are connected together in pivotal relation with each other and are pivotally connected with the rod 30 by means of the pin 38a, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. This rod 30 is pivotally connected with the extending end of the lever 23 by means of the pivotally mounted bolt 23a through which said rod 3!! extends and in which it is rigidly secured.

The lever 26 is fixed on the shaft 21, which shaft 21 is revolubly supported by the bracket 36 in connection with the main frame member I on the transverse portions thereof, as indicated by dash lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. At the opposite side of the shaft 21 from the bolt 26a, the rod. 28 is pivotally and reciprocally mounted in connection with said lever 2%. As shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the casing member 3Ia of the detents 3'I and 32 extends through the spaced portions of the lever 26 at one end thereof. The rod 28 is positioned intermediate these spaced portions of the lever 26 and is engaged at its opposite sides by the detents 3| and 32 which are substantially spherical in form, all as shown best in Fig. 6 of the drawings. It will be noted that the casing 3Ia is provided with an opening 3Ib therein transversely disposed to the axis thereof for receiving the rod 28. The springs 32a and 3Ib are adjustably supported by the bolts 32b and -3Ic respectively. It will be understood that by adjusting the bolts 32b and 3|c, the compression of the springs 32a and 3Ib may be varied in relation with the detents 3| and 32 for maintaining the desired frictional engaged relation of the detents 3| and 32 with the rod 28 so that reciprocal movement of the rod 28 upwardly pivots the lever 26 with the shaft 21 forcing the levers 24 downwardly and outwardly pivoting the levers 23 and forcing the pimento holding members 22 inwardly toward each other. When the pimento holding members 22 engage the pimento, the rod 28 slides through the casing 3| a in its further reciprocal movement preventing the pimento holding members 22 from being pressed too tightly against the pimento and crushing the same.

Interconnecting the rod 28 and the reciprocal shaft I9 is the rod 28a. This rod 280. is rigidly secured to the upper end of the reciprocal shaft I9 and is arranged in pivotal conection with the rod 28 at its upper end by means of the pin 281), all as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Secured on the shaft 21 in spaced relation from the bracket 36 is the lever 25. This lever 25 extends in both directions from the shaft 21 and is provided with a counterweight 25a on its one end and is arranged in pivotal connected relation with the rod 29 at its other end. The rod 29 is secured to a bolt 25b which is pivotally mounted in connection with the lever 25, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. This rod 29 is reciprocally mounted in a bracket 29a which is connected with the bracket 36 and extends therefrom, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings.

Secured on the lower end of this rod 29 is a substantially conical pimento holddown member, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. This pimento holddown member 33 is substantially hollow and constructed of relatively thin material. The fluid valve 35 is secured to the main frame I, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and is provided with an inlet conductor 35a, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. It is also provided with a valve operating lever 35b which is arranged to engage the upper side of the cam engaging lever I6, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This lever 35b is pivotally mounted on a pin 350, all as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Connected with the outlet end of this fluid valve 35 is the fluid jet member 34, the upper end of which is positioned in spaced relation with the lower side of the pimento conveyor cups I2, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. This fluid jet member 34 is positioned in alignment with the pimento holddown member 33, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings.

The operation of our pimento coring machine is substantially as follows: The operating shaft I9 is constantly operated by the motor 39 and the sprocket supporting shaft 3 is intermittently operated by means of the intermittent gears I3 and I4 providing intermittent shifting action of 7 the pimento conveyor chain In and the pimento conveyor cup I2 positioned thereon. Referring particularly to Fig. '7 of the drawings, it will be observed that the intermittent gear members I3 and I4 are illustrated in operative relation intermediate the stationary stages of the intermittent gear I4. Therefore, the pimento conveyor cups I2 are shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings intermediate their stationary position. Each time the intermittent gear I4 is in stationary position, the pimento conveying cups I2 are in alignment with the pimento coring bit 2| and the pimento holddown member 33 directly above the fluid jet member 34, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Each time the intermittent gear I4 stops and positions the pimento conveyor cup I2 in alignment with the pimento coring bit 2| and the pimento holddown member 33, the cam engaging levers IB and I1 shift the motor 20, together with the pimento coring bit 2| upwardly into the dash line position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings whereby the pimento coring bit 2| extends through an opening I2c in one of the pimento conveying cups I2, as indicated by dash lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. It will be noted that the motor 29 revolves the pimento coring bit 2| at very high speed so that the saw teeth portions 2Ib of the pimento coring bit 2| cut a neat opening in the bottom end of the pimento positioned in the pimento conveyor cup I2 in alignment with said pimento coring bit 2|.

It will be here noted that as the pimento conveyor cup I2 shifts, together with the pimento conveyor chain II, the operator of our pimento coring machine positions pimentos in the pimento conveyor cups I2 at the opposite side of the bracket 36 from the pimento holddown member 33, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. When the intermittent gear member I4 is in stationary position and one of the pimento conveyor cups I2 is in alignment with the pimento coring bit 2|, the reciprocal shaft I9 forced upwardly by means of the cam member I5 engaging the cam engaging lever I6 and I1, forces the rod 28 upwardly pivoting the lever 26 and causing the pimento holding members 22 to engage opposite sides of the pimento, as hereinbefore described. Immediately after the pimento holding members 22 engage the pimento, the pimento coring bit 2| enters the stem end of the pimento cutting a neat hole in the end of the pimento and removing the core therefrom together with the bulk of the seeds therein.

It will be noted that the pimento holddown member 33 shifts simultaneously with the operation of the lever 26 so that th pimento holddown member 33 engages a pimento at its upper end after it has been cored by the pimento coring bit 2|. While this pimento holddown member 33 is in engagement with the upper end of the pimento, the cam engaging lever I6 forces the lever 35b of the fluid valve 35 upwardly permitting water, or other fluid to pass from the upper end of the jet 34 into the opening cut out by the pimento coring bit 2| and washing the interior of the pimento, cleaning the seeds and other matter out of the pimento. The washing action of one of the pimentos occurs simultaneously with the coring operation of another pimento, each pimento in turn being Washed out after it has been cored.

Though we have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, we do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of our invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a pimento coring machine of the class described, the combination of an intermittently shiftable pimento conveyor means, a reciprocally mounted revoluble hollow saw-tooth edge pimento coring bit intermittently shiftable to enter pimentos at one end on said conveyor means and pimento holding members arranged to intermittently engage pimentos at the end opposite the end entered by the bit and hold the same in stationary position on said pimento conveyor means during the coring by said bit.

2. In a pimento combined coring and internal cleaning machine of the class described, the combination of an intermittently shiftable pimento conveyor means, a reciprocally mounted revoluble pimento coring bit intermittently shiftable into engagement with pimentos on said conveyor means, pimento holding members arranged to intermittently engage pimentos and hold the same in stationary position on said pimento conveyor means, and fluid jet means arranged to conduct fluid into pimentos on said pimento conveyor means after said pimentos have been cored, to clean the interior of the cored pimento.

3. In a pimento combined coring and internal cleaning machine of the class described, the combination of an intermittently shiftable pimento conveyor means, a reciprocally mounted revoluble pimento coring bit intermittently shiftable into engagement with pimentos on said conveyor means, pimento holding members arranged to intermittently engage pimentos and hold the same in stationary position on said pimento conveyor means, fluid jet means arranged to conduct fluid into pimentos on said pimento conveyor means after said pimentos have been cored to clean the interior of the cored pimento and a holddown member arranged to engage pimentos in opposed relation with said fluid jet means.

4. In a pimento combined coring and internal cleaning machine of the class described, the combination of spaced intermittently shiftable pimento conveyor cups arranged to hold pimentos therein, each of said cups provided with openings therein, a shiftablepimento coring bit arranged to shift through said openings and engage pimentos therein for coring the same, shiftable pimento holding members engageable with opposite sides of said pimentos positioned in said pimento conveyor cup and arranged at opposite sides of the axis of said pimento coring bit, and fluid jet means in the path of said pimento conveyor cups and directed toward said opening whereby fluid passes from said fluid jet into pimentos in said pimento conveyor cup through said opening therein, to clean the interior of the cored pimento.

5. In a pimento combined coring and internal cleaning machine of the class described, the combination of spaced intermittently shiftable pimento conveyor cups arranged to hold pimentos therein, each of said cups provided with openings therein, a shiftable pimento coring bit arranged to shift through said openings and engage pimentos therein for coring the same, shiftable pimento holding members engageable with opposite sides of said pimentos positioned in said pimento conveyor cup and arranged at opposite sides of the axis of said pimento coring bit, fluid jet means in the path of said pimento conveyor cups and directed toward said opening whereby fluid passes from said fluid jet into pimentos in said pimento conveyor cup through said opening therein to clean the interior of the cored pimento and valve means in communication with said jet means.

6. In a pimento combined coring and internal cleaning machine of the class described, the combination of spaced intermittently shiftable pimento conveyor cups arranged to hold pimentos therein, each of said cups provided with openings therein, a shiftabl pimento coring bit arranged to shift through said openings and engage pimentos therein for coring the same, shiftablpimento holding members engageable with opposite sides of said pimentos positioned in said pimento conveyor cup and arranged at opposite sides of the axis of said pimento coring bit, fluid jet means in the path of said pimento conveyor cups and directed toward said opening whereby fluid passes from said fluid jet into pimentos in said pimento conveyor cup through said opening therein to clean the interior of the cored pimento, valve means in communication with said jet means, and cam means arranged to shift said pimento coring bit and intermittently operate said valve means.

'7. In a pimento combined coring and internal cleaning machine of the class described, the combination of a shiftable conveyor member provided with conveyor cups thereon, each of said conveyor cups provided with an opening in the lower side thereof, a revolubly mounted coring bit arranged to be shifted through said openings in each of said conveyor cups, and fluid jet means provided with valve means and arranged to conduct fluid upwardly through said openings in each of said conveyor cups to clean the interior of the cored pimento.

8. In a pimento combined coring and internal cleaning machine of the class described, the combination of a shiftable conveyor member provided with conveyor cups thereon, each of said conveyor cups provided with an opening in the lower side thereof, a revolubly mounted coring bit arranged to be shifted through said openings in each of said conveyor cups, fluid jet means provided with valve means and arranged to conduct fluid upwardly through said openings in each of said conveyor cups to clean the interior of the cored pimento, and holddown means above said fluid jet means in opposed relation therewith and arranged to engage pimentos positioned in said conveyor cup above said fluid jet means.

9. In a pimento coring machine of the class described, the combination of intermittently shiftable pimento conveyor cups arranged to hold pimentos therein, each of said cup provided with openings therethrough, a shiftable pimento coring bit arranged to shift through said openings and engage pimentos therein for coring the same, shiftable pimento holding members engageable with opposite sides of said pimentos positioned in. said pimento conveyor cup and arranged at opposite sides of the axis of said pimento coring bit, a pivotally mounted lever in operative connection with each of said pimento holding members, and detent means interconnecting said lever and. said pimento holding members whereby said pimento holding members are shiftable through said detent means.

ROBERT P; GEREN. EARL R. VICK. 

